Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs and HIF-1alpha in the Context of Colorectal Cancer

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a master regulator of cellular adaptation to hypoxia, drives colorectal cancer (CRC) progression by fueling angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Emerging evidence delineates intricate crosstalk between non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)-including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs-and HIF-1α, forming bidirectional regulatory networks that orchestrate CRC pathogenesis. By interacting with HIF-1α, these non-coding RNAs contribute to the orchestration of the aggressive hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have evaluated the clinical potential of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the realms of non-invasive liquid biopsies and RNA-targeted therapies. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of recent investigations into the mechanisms by which lncRNAs and miRNAs interact with HIF-1α to modulate CRC progression. Additionally, we further explore the clinical implications of ncRNA/HIF-1α crosstalk, emphasizing their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, while also spotlighting intriguing and promising areas of ncRNA research. Methods: In this study, our search strategy employed in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE is as follows: we will specify search terms, including combinations of "non-coding RNA", "HIF-1α", and "colorectal cancer", along with a date range for the literature search (for example, from 2000 to 2025) to capture the most relevant and up-to-date research.